The Washington critic., 1887-12-23

Of the homes Of very poor people about
Aurora, which she remembers from her
days ut Wells, be visited by members OF
the society, and Christmas for the little
ones there be made as happy us possible.
A TEN MILLION MINE.
How Haggin and Hearst Played II Low
on Tom Cassidy.
The best place in New York city TO
hear stories of mines and mining is the
lobby of the st. james Hotel. There are
moro tales about phenomenal fortunes
acquired and. ruinous losses sustained
related there in week than would ill q
good sized volume.
The mining magnates who gather
there are credible men. They look into
each others eyes frankly, and with a
blnndness of countenance that would
excel "Truthful James" in his palmiest
days, swap their stories with an energy
of expression that forbids all comment.
Tom Cassidy Of Idaho and New Mex
leo wandered into the corridor last night.
He had not been in New York for n
year, and he has, consequently. not
had chance to enlighten metropolitan
fellows on the new fortunes made in the
far West. The boys made seat for
him ON the sofa and lie was ready to
talk.
Anything new out your way, Tom?"
said horseman ]. b. Haggin, who has
been speculating himself just little
lately in pay dirt.
"Well, Haggin," replied Tom, "you
are the slickcst artist of my acquaint-
hot xt.tth n
air of innocence, and you know moro
about the new deals than any man here.
But Pll tell the boys the story.
Last year two old prospectors and
myself started out on an exploring tour
through Utah, and after good deal Of
rough travelling and many disappoint-
ments we located and opened pretty
fairly promising hole in one of the foot
hills near Idaho.
eve worked hard to reach pay ore,
but our success was not worth mention
ing and our encouragement became
daily more aggravating. Old George
Hearst, the Senator, Bill Tevis and our
innocent friend Haggin came along one
day and camped over night with us.
They looked into our digging place next
morning, examined the boundary stakes
and laughed at the idea that there was
any wealth under their feet. They drove
away and they took with them whatever
little hope we had entertained of striking
/ it rich.
81 have never wondered that after
that day we were ready and willing to
throw up our hands and quit.
"a week afterward started down to
Salt Lake City and found Haggin and
his two friends there. had deter
mined to trade off the claim, and Of
fcred it to them just us they told me a
few months since they had expected
me to do. They had laid their plan
nicely and were waiting for me. and
childlike Tom Cassidy was taken in and
done for by three old spectators.
81 don't deny1 got n good price for
the hole, but when l turned over the
papers to them and left their hotel |
$1,000 coo Of course 1t was in the
ground and had to be taken out, and as
! didn't do the work or undergo any ,of
the latter anxiety, didn't actually lose
that much, but as / located the place,
worried and worked and bothered and
struggled over it, l ought to have had a
fair share in the profits.
"Did it pan out well? Ask Haggin,
and if he can tell the truth he will
answer you.
"They put force of men on the
claim, and in week they had struck il
rich. They have taken out millions
from that once despised hole and they
have big mine left, and 1t is regarded
by mon whose opinions are worth some.
thing as the richest and best paying
claim in the country.
"That is how located the famous
Ontario mine and Just how our bland
friend Haggin and his innocent side
partners, Senator Hearst and Mr.. Tevis
gathered me in and laughed me out Of
ten millions"
"You got good price for 1t as it stood
and with its poor prospects, didn't you,
Tom?" queried tho genial Haggin. "And
you can find other pay dirt, can't you?''
Yes, Haggin, can. And the oppor
tunities for opening mines now are bet
ter than ever before, and hope to strike
ten million hole for myself pretty soon,
but may be compelled to give it up af.
ter all to you and your poor fellows.
"Why, boys, last summer I had Q
promising prospect in the Stanley Basin
Idaho. 1t looked nice and it looks Q
Who do you suppose wandered into my
camp one morning? Who, but George
Hearst and our man beside us, Haggin
They looked around for a couple of day.
and then left,
"Some of these days he and the Sena'
tor will make me an offer for that place
and may accept it, for i am not pre-
pared to open it up just now myself.
will turn out another Ontario, and vii
be unfortunate again"
"No, Tom," said the quiet.eyet
Haggin, 81 am not buying mines to
night. ."-[New York Graphic.